poptransmission

Category: Music

  • 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

    Carole King. Jay-Z. Foo Fighters. The 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees represent the broader, evolving sounds of the rock world. The same mix of artists as reflected in recent, updated best albums and songs lists (see my recent post on Rolling Stone’s Updated 100 Greatest Songs of All Time). Add the Go-Go’s,…

  • I Don’t Live Here Anymore: The War on Drugs Brings Pure Bliss With New Album

    The first time I heard “I Don’t Live Here Anymore”, the title song of the new album from The War on Drugs, I was hooked instantly and it never let me go. The undeniably catchy opening guitar does the trick; classic rock for 2021. Then the heartland vocals of Adam Granduciel, followed by the band…

  • New Music Alert: Spyderland Delivers an Edgy and Elegant Album

    “Loss of love makes perfect sense in these times. We must look closely at each other. Our value will dissipate if we stop. More alienated from themselves than ever before, yet the same thing rings in their ears.” That’s indie-electric duo Spyderland announcing their first full-length album, There’s Monsters Outside. It’s an ominous message and…

  • Updated Post – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2021 Inductees Spotlight: The Go-Go’s

    Update: The 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be televised by HBO starting Saturday, November 20th at 8:00 p.m. PST. If you miss that, HBO typically runs it a few more times after the premiere date. Stay tuned for a post on the show. They wrote their own songs and played…

  • The Velvet Underground Doc is a Testament to Their Everlasting Influence

    Just four albums. Active only from 1965-1970. No hits. Yet, Velvet Underground is one of the most influential bands ever. Their mix of avant-garde and rock opened the minds of David Bowie, Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, Brian Eno, New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Joy Division, and many, many more. Todd Haynes is an…

  • Rolling Stone’s Updated 100 Greatest Songs of All Time: Less Rock, More Hip-Hop

    Oh no, here we go again. I’m still reeling from Rolling Stone’s Best-of lists for 2020 and the 2010s decade (see my first post for Rock N’ Roll in the 2020s). A refresher: Cardi B/Megan Thee Stallion and Taylor Swift for 2020 Best Song and 2020 Best Album, respectively. And Robyn and Kanye West for…

  • Alvvays and Wolf Alice: Two Bands that Get the Quiet-Loud Dynamic Right

    Alvvays Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) and Wolf Alice are similar bands; both fronted by female vocalists and both employ contrasting dreamy and noisy sounds, often in the same song. They also both came on the scene in the early 2010s and have two albums (looks like Wolf Alice just released their third). There are some differences,…

  • Two Bands That Have Been Around a Long Time…But Were New to Me: Japandroids and Murder by Death

    I was introduced to Japandroids and Murder by Death recently by SiriusXMU (see recent post on Radio). Japandroids have been around about 15 years with three full-lengths, EPs/Singles, and hundreds of live shows around the world. Murder by Death has been making music for 20 years now with eight LPs. Just goes to show you,…

  • 10 Songs that Made Memorable Moments on TV

    The National song “Terrible Love” came on recently during the final scene of The End; Showtime’s Australian dark comedy about life, death, and dignity. The song’s melancholy vibe and chorus (“It takes an ocean not to break”) added dimension to the family playing together in the ocean. Another reminder of how music can transform our…

  • Finding New Music (and Some Old) – There’s Still the Radio

    Remember listening to AM and FM radio? Probably not for some of you. For me growing up in L.A., that was my initial introduction to music (along with my older brother’s record collection). Starting with AM’s KHJ Top 40, followed in high school by the cooler FM stations KLOS, KMET, and later the famous KROQ,…

  • Bob Mould: Still Rocking (Put in the Earplugs!)

    Remember Husker Du? Sugar? Did you know Bob Mould has 15 studio albums, including recent releases. He is indeed still rocking…loudly, and even bringing sunshine to his music. Husker Du formed in 1979 in St. Paul with Bob Mould on guitar/vocals, Grant Hart on drums/vocals, and Greg Norton on bass/vocals. After a few early punk…

  • Top 20 Rock ‘N’ Roll Cover Songs From Aretha to X

    Cover songs are a fundamental part of rock ‘n’ roll history. Think about your favorite songs. Chances are there’s a cover song (or two) on the list. Some cover songs serve as the introduction to new bands that catapult their careers. Some become iconic songs in their own right surpassing the impact of the original.…